Taxpayer Advocate Service Help When IRS Problems Are Not Being Resolved
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve serious IRS problems that normal channels have not fixed.
TAS assistance is typically used when a case involves financial hardship, long delays, or administrative breakdowns that standard IRS contacts have not corrected.
Definition: The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent office within the IRS that assists taxpayers experiencing economic hardship or systemic problems with IRS processing.
When the Taxpayer Advocate Service May Help
TAS may become involved when:
- An IRS action is causing significant financial hardship
- Your case has been delayed far beyond normal processing time
- You have tried repeatedly to resolve the issue with the IRS
- A systemic IRS problem is preventing resolution
Situations That May Qualify as Hardship
- Impending bank levy or wage garnishment
- Threat of asset seizure
- Inability to pay basic living expenses due to IRS collection
- Business operations threatened by IRS enforcement
Related enforcement guidance:
Taxpayer Advocate vs IRS Appeals
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: focuses on hardship and unresolved IRS problems.
- IRS Appeals: reviews legal and procedural disputes with IRS actions.
Related appeals guidance:
What TAS Can and Cannot Do
- Escalate unresolved IRS cases
- Coordinate communication between IRS departments
- Address hardship caused by IRS collection
- Help resolve processing errors or delays
However, TAS cannot change tax law or cancel legally owed taxes without an appropriate legal basis.
Common Misunderstandings About the Taxpayer Advocate
- TAS does not replace IRS appeals rights
- TAS cannot eliminate tax debt without legal authority
- TAS is generally used after normal IRS channels fail
Get Help With Taxpayer Advocate Service Requests
If IRS collection or processing problems are causing hardship or delays, structured review may determine whether Taxpayer Advocate involvement is appropriate.
Contact us to review your IRS case and determine whether escalation through the Taxpayer Advocate Service may help resolve the issue.